Working as for the Lord

Working as for the Lord

One of the fundamental principles of Marketplace Christianity is working as for the Lord, as it says in Colossians 3:23:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

This revelation is so powerful that if even one person at the lowest level job gets it, it can change an entire company.

When I was leading my business a few years ago, many of the believers in the company asked me to hold a meeting and talk from a Christian perspective about my vision for the company. I did that, sharing quite a bit with them, and then one of the brothers shared his revelation of working as for the Lord. The atmosphere suddenly became electric. Something clicked for me and many others in the room who had longed to express our love for God. Those same people who had hung their heads without spiritual purpose, suddenly had purpose. We had been given the key.

We began working as for the Lord, and within a short amount of time, many people who occupied the lowest rung on the company hierarchy became heroes of the company because they embraced this concept. Their exploits became well known throughout the whole workplace. Some of them rocketed up the company ladder, while others stayed in their positions and became the most honored and respected individuals amongst their bosses and peers.

Without doing anything conspicuous to gain notice, these heroes raised the bar for all the believers in the company. Lukewarm Christians began recovering their passion; many began emulating the heroes by working as for the Lord. Unbelievers became curious; many were touched and perplexed as for the first time they were confronted with an authentic, non-programmed Christianity for which they had no argument or debate. This was a religion of the heart, not a religion of the head. The extraordinary love motive of these men and women became apparent to all. Much of the water-cooler conversation turned to God, religion and the Bible. Many unbelievers received Jesus. The atmosphere was often filled with the joy of the Lord and the presence of God.

Wherever a believer works as for the Lord, a revival happens in his or her heart, and then it spreads to those around him. Why is this principle so powerful? Firstly, because it invites the presence of God into a situation and a place. When He comes, things change. As the Bible says,

For by their own sword they did not possess the land,
And their own arm did not save them,
But Your right hand and Your arm and the
Light of Your presence,
For You favored them. Ps. 44:3 (NASB)

Secondly, working as for the Lord is the opposite of how the world operates. The world works out of selfishness, pride and greed, rarely love. Working from a heart of love makes us like a light set on a hill:

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16 (NASB)

This powerful principle is so important to the Christian faith, it is set forth twice - the dual witness of scripture - in Colossians 3:22-24 and Ephesians 6:5-8:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col. 3:22-24 (NIV)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, ‘because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Eph. 6:5-8 (NIV)

Written by Robert Fraser. Excerpted from Marketplace Christianity (New Grid Publishing). Used with permission. All rights reserved. Content distributed by WorkLife.org > used for non-profit teaching purposes only.